Larry Hayden: Emblematic Ranchero

 

Larry Hayden on auto emblems: "I grew up around used car lots, taxis, junkyards, drag strips and racetracks so the subject is dear to my heart. When putting this project together I realized how much each of these emblems, marques, medallions, crests, crowns, badges and scripts work  as an emotional shorthand, a touchstone that conjures a first, lasting impression; often a longing that won't let go. Just seeing "409" under crossed flags on the front fender of a '63 Chevy transformed an ordinary Impala into a chariot of the gods. These fragments, signs, symbols of character, quality, potency and rank, succeed in a way that an image of an entire vehicle often cannot. I love these things. They trigger an emotional and aesthetic response of deep resonance.

"The book is in progress. Scott Vile of the Ascensius Press is the designer. The photographs and (minimal) text are mine. The title of the book is 'Emblematic' "--LH